This briefs package highlights timely news and events from The University of Southern Mississippi. For more information on any of the stories below or for assistance in arranging interviews, contact the Department of Marketing and Public Relations at 601.266.4491.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The University of Southern Mississippi School of Nursing will host three information sessions in February for those interested in its doctor of nursing practice program (DNP) and Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Program (GNP). The programs await approval from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and Schools.

The sessions will be held at Harkins Hall, room 101 on Feb. 3 from 3-5 p.m.; Feb. 20 from 10 a.m.-noon; and Feb. 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, call 601.266.5457.

University Libraries Co-Sponsoring Civil Rights Photo Exhibit

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – University Libraries at the University of Southern Mississippi joins the city of Hattiesburg, VISITHATTIESBURG™ and the African-American Military History Museum in sponsoring an exhibit of renowned photographer Herbert Randall Jr.’s civil rights photos Feb. 4-28 at the Hattiesburg Train Depot.

The exhibit, “Hattiesburg Remembers the Freedom Summer of 1964” will include his photos taken in 1964 that capture the events, lives and emotions of Hattiesburg during the Civil Rights Movement. They include images of voter registration canvassing, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, Freedom Schools, the Free Southern Theatre and a picnic at the home of civil rights activist Vernon Dahmer.

For his work, Randall was awarded the Creative Artist's Public Service Grant for Photography and has had his photographs appear in exhibitions at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The Brooklyn Museum, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and other notable museums.

His photographs are permanently represented in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the New York Public Library, and the Library of Congress. A large collection of them are held at Southern Miss Libraries in Hattiesburg.

The Hattiesburg Remembers the Freedom Summer of 1964 exhibit is free to the public and will be open Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m.-4p.m. For more information, call 601-268-3220.

Summer Gifted Studies Program Registration Deadline March 29

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Summer Gifted Studies Program, a one-week residential program for intellectually gifted students in grades four through eight, is set for June 21-26 at the University of Southern Mississippi. The registration deadline is March 29.

The program enhances the cognitive abilities of gifted students through planned enrichment/acceleration activities that include content areas combined with processing skills, enabling students to explore a wide variety of topics. Participating students must have intelligence quotients of 120 or above on an individually administered test, or the 90th percentile or above at the national level on an achievement test.

Students will be housed in residence halls on the Southern Miss Hattiesburg campus. Instructional activities will be conducted in classrooms and laboratories on the campus. Recreational activities and cultural events will be included, based upon availability.

Tuition includes room, board, recreational and cultural activities, and limited accident insurance. Financial aid is available based on need, on a limited basis. For more information, contact the Frances Karnes Center for Gifted Studies at 601.266.5236; on the Web, visit www.usm.edu/gifted.

Summer Program for Academically Talented Youth Registration Deadline April 28

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Summer Program for Academically Talented Youth, a three-week residential program designed for students in grades seven through 10 who qualify based on SAT or ACT results, is set for July 5-24 at the University of Southern Mississippi. The registration deadline is April 28.

A variety of intensive, fast-paced courses will be offered through the program, including Algebra I and II; geometry; trigonometry; pre-calculus; calculus; modern analysis; human anatomy/physiology; forensic science; polymer science; psychology; criminal justice; creative writing; and debate. The program is also designed to include appropriate academic, cultural, and recreational experiences.

Southern Miss offers the program through cooperative efforts with the Duke University Talent Identification Program. Tuition includes the instructional program, books, room and board, recreational activities and limited accident insurance. Financial aid is available based on need, on a limited basis. For more information, contact Southern Miss Gifted Studies at 601.266.5236; on the Web, visit www.usm.edu/gifted.

Impromptu Piano Quartet in Concert Feb. 9 at Southern Miss

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The School of Music at the University of Southern Mississippi will present the Impromptu Piano Quartet in recital at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Marsh Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus. Admission is free and open to the public.

The concert "Romance Across the Centuries" will feature quartet members of Southern Miss School of Music faculty: Alexander Russakovsky, cello; Hsiaopei Lee, viola; and Stephen Redfield, violin, along with Jones County Junior College faculty member Theresa Sanchez, piano.

The program will include music by composers Gabriel Faure’ and Joaquin Turina, among others.

For more information, call the School of Music at 601.266.5443 or online at www.usm.edu/music.

AHMI is the capstone educational experience for college students earning AH Certification in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. It is a unique opportunity for AH students to network with nonprofit executives, participate in case studies and a national collegiate dialogue, attend workshops led by experts in nonprofit studies and participate in interviews for nonprofit professional positions.

In addition, the Advanced Practitioner Seminar at AHMI provides programming for entry to mid-level nonprofit leaders, as well as faculty and graduate students.

American Humanics is a national alliance of colleges, universities and nonprofits dedicated to preparing the next generation of nonprofit sector leaders. Founded in 1948, it is affiliated with more than 70 colleges and universities nationwide including Southern Miss, and partners with more than 60 national nonprofit organizations including the March of Dimes, YMCA, and Girl Scouts of the USA.

For more information on the American Humanics program at Southern Miss, call Kinnell at 601.266.5339 or visit online at www.usm.edu/nonprofitstudies.

About The University of Southern MississippiThe University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities. In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world. Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu .